Friday July 01, 2016

Earlier today the United Nations Human Rights Council passed a resolution condemning countries that prevent or restrict access to the internet. Countries that continue to block access to the internet will receive a sharply worded letter condemning their actions. At that time, the UNHRC would convene a meeting to discuss passing another resolution to condemn the earlier actions.

The resolution passed by consensus "Condemns unequivocally measures to intentionally prevent or disrupt access to or dissemination of information online in violation of international human rights law and calls on all States to refrain from and cease such measure." The digital rights group Access Now has counted at least 15 internet shutdowns around the globe in 2015, and 20 in the first half of this year. That includes the recent reported throttling of social media sites in Turkey following the terror attack on an Istanbul airport. Others have recently been reported in Bahrain and Algeria.